Masks and COVID-19

Over the past several weeks I've been gathering information on COVID-19 while generally posting articles that were already in the queue.  There's been so much hair-on-fire and outright lies.

I now feel confident enough to post some information about masks and COVID-19 and what we can do to protect ourselves, our families, and others. For those who do not have masks of any kind, here are DIY options beyond the plastic jug on the head.  I am not mocking the usage of plastic jugs.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  Directions for the plastic jug face-masks abound online.

The following addresses are for directions for sewing your own reusable face masks, including the patterns.  I have not tried them; I have no intention.  I bought masks for my family 2-3 years ago.  That was my Plan A.  If we run out, Plan B will include sewing some face masks.  However, part of preparedness includes being able to share information with others so that they can make their own if they're serious.  The last link is to an article, one of many online, that suggests that a cloth mask saturated in a salt solution and dried will actually kill the coronavirus.  Because salt is extremely drying and irritating to the skin, the mask would have to be worn over another mask to protect the skin.

https://hellosewing.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/salty-masks-kill-coronavirus/

The balance of this post concerns using and re-using commercially manufactured masks.

One of the first things we all heard as the coronavirus started being detected in the US was that re-using masks was a horrible idea.  That is definitely true in normal times.

These are not normal times.  Even the folks at Can't Detect Coronavirus have finally acknowledged this.  And they have provided information on their website regarding the reuse of medical masks in a pandemic situation. 

• When possible, use alternatives.
• Limit who has access to the patient.  (Which is what they're doing now--relatives are not allowed to visit the patient.) 
• Extended use and reuse of masks do not degrade respiratory protection.
• Masks may be used past the date on the package. 
• Masks may be reused as long as functionality is not compromised, like by a patient coughing on the mask.[1A]

Mask functionality can be preserved and extended by using face shields over the masks,  like plastic jugs.


According to Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, scientists at the International Medical Center in Beijing tested five methods for disinfecting masks for reuse.  Dr. Alton did not provide a source and I could not track down a source, either.  You will have to decide whether you believe the Chinese in this case.  Keep in mind that there are two important factors to consider here.  The functionality of the mask has to be preserved in addition to disinfecting it from pathogens.[1B.  Update:  Stanford conducted the same tests, with the same results.  Source noted below.]

• Spraying with alcohol was not effective, as the efficacy of the mask dropped below 95%.
• Steam and wet heat also reduced mask efficacy below 95%.
• Autoclaving with high pressure and high temperature deformed the masks.
• UV light disinfection results were inconclusive.
• Dry heat at 160 degrees for 30 minutes was effective.  Use a dehydrator or oven set to 160 degrees.[2]

Another option discussed by Dr. Joseph Alton on his Youtube broadcast about re-using masks is putting used masks in a paper bag to let the virus naturally die.  Simply remove the mask and drop it in a paper bag, close the bag, and date both the day you dropped it in and the day to reuse it.  Because some sources say the virus can live up to 9 days, they're dating their bags for 10 days out.  You may wish to wait longer.  If you are limited on the masks, you might wish to combine with dry heat.[3]

Nothing, not even N-100 masks, is fool-proof.  We see medical personnel who know better and suit up and take all precautions falling victim to this virus.

But everything we do, every precaution we take, improves our odds.  Nothing improves the odds like not going out in public at all.  But if you have to go out, take measures to protect yourself.  What the government, CDC, and WHO have totally failed to communicate, and even sought to hide, distort, lie about, is that masks are protective FOR ALL OF US.  Not just medical personnel.  I do understand about wanting to preserve masks for medical personnel, but you know, that was the responsibility of the government.  Those masks are pretty darn cheap when coronavirus isn't in town.  Stuff like that is what people pay taxes for.

So what's the deal with using masks?  Why is the CDC saying those who are not sick do not need to wear them?  Why are they telling us that medical personnel need them more than the rest of us?[4]  Basically, what the CDC says flies in the face of everything doctors and scientists know about this disease. It is airborne.  And one way of preventing the spread is by wearing masks.  But the CDC and state and local agencies whose responsibility it is to be prepared for such an event failed on an epic level.  And they don't want to admit their incompetence.  So they are doubling down on the stupid and killing more people instead by insisting that healthy people don't need to worry or protect themselves.  And they have the gall to do this on a page entitled "How to Protect Yourself."  Given the record of pathological lying they have engaged in so far, do you believe them?

Simply put, the masks are a barrier.  How effective a barrier depends on the type of mask and the fit.  Surgical masks don't do a whole lot to prevent pathogens from circulating, but they do some good.  This infographic from the CDC explains the differences between surgical masks and N95s.  N95s are good, N100s are better.  Then you get into gas masks, PAPR, and other really expensive stuff that's just beyond the finances of most people.

The government agencies and hospitals are telling us that medical personnel need them more.  Medical personnel are definitely at greater risk.  Everyone should be able to understand that--they're surrounded by sick people coughing and shedding virus particles everywhere.  They have to get up close and personal and come into contact with bodily fluids.  It's the nature of their work.

The following information comes from Chris Martenson's video that aired 15 March 2020.[5]  Data right now are showing that there is a difference in the course and outcome of the disease between those who have a small inoculum and those with a large inoculum.  So what are these inocula?

Small inoculum sounds small, right?  Like, per the example in the video, maybe you touch a handle that an asymptomatic carrier who didn't wash well touched previously.  You then touch your nose or rub your eyes.  You have picked up a little dose of the virus.  A small inoculum of just a few virus particles.  And so they go to work in your body.  But there are so few of them and you are so big.  If there is a really small number of virus particles, then they might even die off or be killed before they can do any harm.  But even if there are just a few more, the current theory is that the body has time to adjust--the T-cells and the white cells have time to mount their defense before the virus can replicate in sufficient numbers to kill the host. 

A large inoculum, on the other hand, would come from a symptomatic patient coughing or sneezing on a healthcare provider.  That medical worker just got a boatload of virus particles.  So many virus particles that don't need to build up their numbers because they already have a massive invading army sufficient to overwhelm the body's defenses within just a couple of hours. 

So what exactly does this have to do with masks, poor masks, mistakes, gloves, and social distancing?

In all reality, we will all probably pick up this virus at some point.  But if we can slow the transmission, flatten the curve, as they say now, we can avoid overwhelming the hospitals.  We can prevent unnecessary deaths due to a shortage of medical care and a lack of beds or equipment available.  That's huge.  Everything we do to slow the transmission--masks, gloves, and social distancing--also works to reduce the inoculum--the amount of virus we pick up.

Our goal is to make any inoculum we pick up is as small as possible.  Masks reduce the inoculum.  If you have to go out, wear a mask.  If you have the option, first put on an N95 mask, and then cover it with a surgical mask.  Most people won't see the N95 underneath and then think evil thoughts about you using an N95 that [they think] should be reserved for medical personnel.  Another tidbit to keep in mind if you are reluctant to wear a mask when you go out:  my husband observed that those wearing a mask were given much wider berth at the store than individuals who were not wearing masks.  Social distancing increases.  (While the CDC says the safe distance is 6 feet, researchers in China indicate that a better distance is 12-14 feet.)[6] 

The mask(s) you wear not only reduce the number of virus particles you inhale, but they also remind you not to touch your face.  Big win.  Gloves reduce the number of viruses you touch, and again, remind you not to touch your face.  If you are willing to ramp it up a notch, add glasses or safety goggles.  A headband or scarf to cover the ears will also keep your fingers out and unable to introduce viruses into the ears.  When you arrive home, leave the shoes in the garage, strip in the garage or laundry room and dump everything into a laundry basket or the washer.  Head straight for the shower and wash and shampoo really well. 

We are in novel territory here.  It's hard to know who to trust and whether people are simply misinformed or outright lying.  Historically, most governments have an atrocious record when it comes to telling the truth regarding pandemics.  How effective any of these measures truly are remains to be seen.  Remember, it's best for everyone to stay home and keep visitors away.  But if you've got to go out, take some protective measures.

Links to related posts:
Wash Your Hands!
The Scoop on Hand Sanitizer
Gloves and Masks 

[1A] "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):  Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators:  Crisis/Alternate Strategies," Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/crisis-alternate-strategies.html (accessed 16 March 2020).  Also, the info on that webpage echoes what the CDC said in with the influenza outbreak in 2009, so it's not necessarily new to this event.  They recognized then that they could have problems.  They just did absolutely nothing to prepare for them.  https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control_qa.htm

[1B] Amy Price, et al., "Stanford AIM Lab COVID-19 Evidence Service Report," Stanford Medicine Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab, 22 March 2020, https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fstanfordmedicine.box.com%2Fv%2Fcovid19-PPE-1-1 (accessed 24 March 2020).

[2] Joseph Alton, "Can N95 Masks Be Reused?" https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-can-n95-masks-be-reused/ (accessed 16 March 2020).

[3] Joseph Alton, "Can N95 Masks Be Reused?" https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-can-n95-masks-be-reused/ (accessed 16 March 2020).

[4] "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):  How to Protect Yourself," Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html (accessed 16 March 2020).

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2691&v=efaDuE-XEi4&feature=emb_title

[6] Stephen Chen, "Coronavirus can travel twice as far as official ‘safe distance’ and stay in air for 30 minutes, Chinese study finds," South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3074351/coronavirus-can-travel-twice-far-official-safe-distance-and-stay (accessed 16 March 2020).